Melbourne, Australia – May 13th, 2014 - Independent Melbourne Label, YakMusic Records, is thrilled to announce the release of “Songs for Blake – Embracing Autism”, a digital fundraising compilation which is now available via online stores iTunes and Bandcamp.

Over a year in the making, “Songs for Blake” is the brainchild of Mark Davis, whose youngest son Blake was a given a preliminary diagnosis of Autism (or ASD - Autism Spectrum Disorder) in February 2013, at the age of 2 years and 7 months. In August 2013, Blake’s final diagnosis was that he showed “severe symptoms of ASD.”

In April 2013, Mark began approaching various artists from the USA, Canada, UK, New Zealand, and Australia, asking if they’d be willing to contribute their own songs to help raise funds for Blake to support his ongoing early intervention programme. Blake’s treatment includes ongoing intensive therapy relating to speech, occupation, and behaviour, that will help him develop skills that are so important in life; in particular, his communication and socialisation skills.

“With what started as just an idea has turned into one of the most fulfilling projects I’ve ever been involved with,” Mr Davis stated. “I’m simply over the moon at the bands we’ve managed to get on this album.”

“Some of the artists are musical heroes of mine that I’ve enjoyed listening to since I was a teenager, while others are close friends and old work colleagues that I’ve had the pleasure of knowing over the years” Mark added. “It’s quite a remarkable how it’s all come together.”

A small percentage of the proceeds will also be donated annually to a number of handpicked Autism organisations worldwide.

Songs for Blake – Embracing Autism is a double-disc album, labelled Side A and Side B, that will be sold as one compilation. It comprises of various genres of music, ranging from Alternative Rock to Acoustic Folk and Electronic.
Songs for Blake features the amazing talents of: